When asked about the prospect of the Arsenal and Chile striker moving from the Emirates to the Etihad, De Bruyne said “when he comes” rather than “if”.

City had a £60million bid for Sanchez rejected by the Gunners last August but are expected to make a renewed offer in the January transfer window following the knee injury suffered by Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, which will keep him out for two months and possibly longer.

Following City’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Bristol City, De Bruyne believes Sanchez will be a welcome addition to Pep Guardiola’s superstar squad.

“He’s a very good player,” he said.

“Obviously we will see what happens in this transfer period. We don’t have to take care about that anyway.

"If a good player comes to us that is better, if he doesn’t come we do it with the team we have.

Related articles

“We are on a good period already, the whole season. Everybody is doing a good job. When he comes he will add something to the team.”

Manchester City need Sanchez to ease the goal scoring burden on leading scorer Sergio Aguero who came off the bench to head their winner against the Robins and give them a 2-1 win for the semi-final second leg at Ashton Gate on January 23.

De Bruyne is relieved City have five days to recover before Sunday’s visit to Anfield where they have won only once in the Premier League era.

Arsenal fans say goodbye as Alexis Sanchez dropped against Chelsea

Wed, January 10, 2018

Alexis Sanchez has been dropped to the bench for Chelsea v Arsenal – and fans have started their goodbyes

Play slideshow Twitter 1 of 11

GETTY

Man City failed in their attempts to land Sanchez in the summer

“We have some rest now – we have five days – and that will be good,” he said.

“It has been a tough period for four months now. We don’t care about the record at Anfield. We will go there to win the game.

"They will have a very strong team and want to qualify for the Champions League.

"We will just try to do the things we do well and see what happens.”

GETTY

Man City star Kevin De Bruyne (left) is set to sign a new contract

De Bruyne is in negotiations over a new long-term contract to make him one of the world’s highest paid players but says he is in no rush.

“Negotiations are going good but they are going quietly,” he said.

“That is the way I think it should be. I’m waiting for an offer from the club but my agent has been on holiday for three weeks.

"There is nothing really new for the moment. It will probably be done so. I’m not in a hurry. I still have three-and-a-half years on my current contract.”

Related articles

Alexis Sanchez wants to join Man City now for one reason – Bellamy

Alexis Sanchez to Man City: How Arsenal ace could fit into starting XI